Quiz book reveals Fulham's connections to Great Train Robbery

Mike Gray with his latest publication The Great Train Robbery Quiz Book

The son of a warden working at the prison when the notorious Ronnie Biggs escaped has published a quiz book about the Great Train Robbery of 1963.

Mike Gray, a Fulham FC fan, is releasing his fourth publication, The Great Train Robbery Quiz Book, which reveals several connections to west London.

The gang's most famous member Ronnie Biggs died today (Dec 18) aged 84.

Accomplice William ‘Bill’ Boal, who helped steal over £2 million from a train near Buckinghamshire, lived in Burnthwaite Road, Fulham.

He was sentenced to 24 years in jail for his part in the act. However, other robbers protested his innocence and earlier this year his family submitted a case to the Criminal Case Review Commission in an attempt to finally clear his name.

Another gang member, Gordon ‘Douglas’ Goody was born in Putney and owned many hairdressing businesses in the area. After the robbery, he hid his money in Barnes.

And Bruce Reynolds, the mastermind behind the heist, was brought up in Putney.

Mr Gray, a former Wandsworth resident who now lives in Kent, developed a keen interest in the robbery since his father worked at Wandsworth Prison when Biggs scaled a 30ft wall to escape to Rio de Janeiro in 1965.

The writer went on to produce three books about Biggs and even developed an unlikely friendship with him after intensely following his story as a young reporter.

His latest book will be released on New Year’s Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the Great Train Robbery and features 200 questions about the notorious group.

Mr Gray said: “It is the friendship with Ronnie Biggs, Britain’s most famous criminal, that has driven me to produce my four books. I have enjoyed researching The Great Train Robbery Quiz Book the most, as it was about all the train robbers not just Ronnie Biggs.

“The book covers so many links to the infamous 1963 Train Robbery and I hope people will find the 200 questions interesting.”